Rotary watch – very disappointing experience

BillieBob

Hi,
I’ve a 2 yr & 2 month old Rotary watch (think the model is GS90030/19). Overall I’ve been very disappointed with it. First off, the strap broke three times in the first two years with very little pressure needed to break it (broke where pins held the strap to the watch), eventually needing to get the strap replaced on the 3rd time (total cost €60).

The mechanism on the timing didn’t seem to work quite right. The ‘Crown’ (I think it’s called) kept popping out and the watch stopping keeping time.

Finally it stopped working and I was told by shop that as it was just out of 2 yr guarantee that there was a good chance for them to fix it for free. Not so (as the 2 yrs is past) and I’m now told that I have to pay €90 just to get the battery replaced (this is despite there being a lifetime guarantee which doesn’t cover the battery apparently).

Overall I’m finding it to be very fragile and expensive to use. Before this I always used digital watches which were very reliable and lasted for ages and if it wasn’t for the fact that I got the Rotary on my wedding day from my wife I’d put it in the back of a drawer and forget about it. I presumed that as you can dive with this watch, that it would be sturdy and reliable but frankly I’ve found it the opposite (not that I ever submerged it in water).

Is it just that I’m not used to having an expensive watch make (well for me it is), having used Casio/Timex digitals up to now and am I expecting too much? Is a Rotary not a watch make for everyday wear? Is Rotary not a good make?

Going on my experience to date it’s going to cost me €75 per year just to use this watch. Feedback from the forum readers would be appreciated.

Wibbs

IMHO 90 quid to replace a battery(which should cost well under a fiver) is daylight robbery. Rotary were a midline make back in the day, nowadays not so much. Their price to quality ratio would be high and not going in the better direction.

Menas

I would not really consider Rotary a good make but not that bad. Sounds like you got a friday afternoon watch.
Cut your losses OP....dump it and save up for a non-rotary replacement.

jefferson73

I was in a well know jewelers in Dundrum shopping center a month back and one shop assistant was telling the other that a customer that returned a recently purchased Rotary had just rung in to say that the replacement had stopped working. :eek:

93Cab

I have a Rotary Acquaspeed as my beater, massive factory mesh, chunky case. Was changing the battery and broke a part of the innards! My Seiko Monster gave up a week later! John Howell in Monaghan fixed the Seiko, fitted a new movement to the Rotary and fitted a 55 fathoms dial on a Seiko SNZH 53 for me for less than the OP has been quoted to fit a battery!